Raiders sign Maiava to $6M contract

Cleveland linebacker Kaluka Maiava made a tackle on Philadelphia tight end Clay Harbor during their game on Sept. 9. The Oakland Raiders on Wednesday signed free agent linebacker Kaluka Maiava to a $6 million, three-year contract, as well as defensive tackle Pat Sims and defensive end Jason Hunter.

ALAMEDA, Calif. » Maui's Kaluka Maiava got both his wish and a good payday in signing a $6 million, three-year free agent contract to play linebacker for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday.

Maiava, a Baldwin High graduate, said Oakland was the first team to contact his agent when the free agent signing period began. "My ears definitely perked up when my agent told me about Oakland being interested," Maiava told a media conference call. "I already came in with high hopes and, fortunately, got a deal done. I'm very excited about it."

Maiava said, "Coming into it, I always grew up a Raiders fan. Being from the islands, we always watched the Raiders and San Fran games, so it was definitely a team I was familiar with."

Maiava was a fourth-round selection of the Cleveland Browns out of USC in 2009. He started 13 games for the Browns last season and played in 50 games over four seasons with Cleveland.

The signing of Maiava came along with the additions of defensive tackle Pat Sims and defensive end Jason Hunter as the Raiders sought to rebuild their defense.

In him, Maiava said the Raiders are, "getting a tough guy. I pride myself on being one of the tougher players and I'm here to win."

Maiava said, "I'm a hard-nosed guy. I come to work every day and lead by example. I'm not a 'rah-rah' guy leading with speeches."

The addition of Maiava, Sims and Hunter comes a day after Oakland lost three of the team's most productive defenders from last year when they released defensive back Michael Huff and lost free agent linebacker Philip Wheeler to Miami and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant to Cleveland.

"We're excited to add three veterans through free agency, helping to create depth and competition on defense," general manager Reggie McKenzie said. "We'll continue to add free agents as the opportunity surfaces."

Oakland has only four returning defensive starters under contract in safety Tyvon Branch, linebacker Miles Burris and defensive linemen Lamarr Houston and Tommy Kelly. But Kelly could still be released as a salary cap casualty this offseason.

Oakland ranked 18th in total defense and 28th in scoring defense last year in coach Dennis Allen's first season in charge but showed signs of improvement late in the year that led to the decision to bring back coordinator Jason Tarver for a second season.

Tarver will have to work in quite a few new players into his scheme. All three of the new players will likely be in the mix for starting jobs with Maiava expected to replace Wheeler at outside linebacker after Wheeler got a $26 million, five-year deal from Miami with $13 million guaranteed.

Maiava started 13 games last season for Cleveland with 30 solo tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed. Maiava has played 50 games over four seasons with the Browns after being a fourth-round pick out of Southern California.

Hunter spent the past three seasons in Denver, sitting out last year with a triceps injury that shut him down shortly after he worked his way into the starting lineup in training camp. Hunter said he is fully recovered and will be ready to participate in the offseason program when it starts in April.

"I'm a hungry player right now," he said. "I have a lot to prove. My actions are going to show it."

Hunter has familiarity with both McKenzie and Allen. He played the first three years of his career in Green Bay where McKenzie worked in the front office. He then played in Denver in 2011 when Allen was defensive coordinator.

Hunter said he was excited as soon as his agent told him the Raiders were interested in signing him.

"It feels great," he said. "It feels like you're wanted and you can come in and contribute. That's a great feeling. It's like family. I'm excited. I'm looking forward to getting out to Oakland and back to work."

Hunter has 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 88 career games with Green Bay, Detroit and Denver. He began his career as an outside linebacker but Allen moved him to defensive end in 2011.

Sims played just eight games last season for Cincinnati after beginning the year on the physically unable to perform list with a hamstring injury. He had 12 solo tackles and one interception as a reserve. He has five sacks in 60 career games.

The Raiders also re-signed defensive back Coye Francies to a one-year, $630,000 deal after letting him become a free agent when they didn't tender him a contract.

Francies played mostly on special teams in his first season with the Raiders when he got only 11 snaps on defense. Francies averaged 23.8 yards on his 20 kick returns and also played on coverage units for Oakland.

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oxtail01wrote:

That's the best the Raiders can do? They need a LOT of major help - good for Maiava but he's not the major help they need!